The Ashley Ventrice Show | Toddler Parenting & Child Development

You pushed out a human. You’re chasing a toddler. And your body still doesn’t feel like yours. If you’ve been dealing with leaking when you sneeze, a heavy feeling in your pelvis, pain during sex, or a belly that still doesn’t look or feel right — this episode is for you. And before you tell yourself “it’s fine, it’s just part of having kids”… I need you to press play first. I sat down with Yousti...

Not all kids’ shows are created equal — and as a licensed Child Development Therapist, Ashley Ventrice is here to tell you exactly which ones are worth your toddler’s screen time and which ones are doing your child’s developing nervous system absolutely no favors. In this episode, Ashley breaks down her personal favorite shows for toddlers and young children — Little Bear, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborh...

If you’ve ever Googled “how much screen time is okay for toddlers” at midnight while your child was mid-meltdown over the TV turning off — this episode is for you. Licensed Child Development Therapist Ashley Ventrice breaks down everything toddler moms actually want to know about screen time and technology. In this episode, Ashley answers four of the most common screen time questions she gets from...

If you’re a tired toddler mom who hasn’t slept a full night in what feels like years, this episode is for you. Child Development Specialist and mom Ashley writes a heartfelt letter to the moms in the hardest season of early motherhood — the ones who love their kids fiercely and are also, if they’re being honest, a little lost in it.   As a 40-year-old looking back on her toddler years, Ashley shar...

Are you a burned-out toddler mom who can’t stop comparing yourself to what you see on Instagram? A Child Development Specialist gets real about what social media comparison is actually doing to your nervous system — and why it’s affecting your parenting more than you realize.   In this episode, Ashley (licensed Child Development Specialist and mom) breaks down the science behind mom- comparison cu...

Ashley shares a real backyard conversation with her neighbor — a first-time mom who somehow radiates calm — and unpacks why new moms lose their instincts to the chorus of unsolicited opinions. From barefoot babies to formula side-eyes, if you’ve ever been audited as a mom in public, this episode is for you.   In This Episode: •The neighbor moment that stopped Ashley cold •Why even a Child Developm...

If you’ve ever wondered, “How many words should my toddler have?”—you’re not alone. This is one of the most searched parenting questions, and in this episode, we’re breaking it down in a way that’s clear, realistic, and not fear-based.   Using research-backed guidance from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and other pediatric developmental sources, we walk through toddler speech mil...

You had it all planned out.  You knew exactly what kind of mom you were going to be - whether that meant confidentiality heading back into the office or blissfully staying home with your baby.  Then they placed that tiny human in your arms...and everything you thought you knew went out that window.   If you're wresting the "working mom" vs. the "stay-at-home mom" decision or the decision  was made...

Before the credentials, the podcast, and the toddler advice — there was a girl who started in fashion and found her calling by accident. This is the real story of how I got here, and why nothing in your path is ever wasted.   You’ve heard the advice. You’ve seen the credentials. But today, I’m pulling back the curtain on the full journey — because I think you need to hear how I actually got here....

Do your kids have the same fight on repeat and you have no idea how to break the cycle? In this episode, I’m sitting down with Heather Schalk from the Toddler Toolkit Podcast to talk all things sibling relationships — how to identify the patterns showing up in your home, what’s actually driving them, and practical ways to help your kids genuinely get along. As a Pediatric OT, I’m bringing the deve...

What happens when you’re managing a chronic illness and drowning in mom guilt? In this episode, I’m getting personal about my diagnoses — POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) and MCAS (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome) — and why I’m talking about it openly. More women than men are diagnosed with autoimmune and chronic illness conditions, and awareness matters. I share a conversation I had...

In this deeply personal episode, I share why I took my first flight away from my children — and why it was about more than just a vacation. We talk about mom guilt, trusted caregivers, marriage health, nervous system regulation, facing fears after trauma, and the quiet identity shifts that happen in motherhood.   If you’ve ever felt pressure about leaving your children, struggled with anxiety abou...

Is your child deeply emotional, empathetic, or easily overwhelmed by loud or chaotic environments?   They may be a highly sensitive child.   In this episode, we explore the science behind highly sensitive children (HSCs), a temperament trait found in roughly 15–20% of the population. These children process emotions and sensory information more deeply than others, which can lead to big feelings—but...

What if one of the most powerful ways to raise emotionally intelligent children is through loving — and eventually losing — a pet?   In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with author Kristen Griffin to talk about her beautiful children’s book Magnum’s Final Goodbye, a story that gently guides families through pet loss.   Kristen and I connected instantly over our lifelong love of animals and our s...

If you’ve ever wondered whether the daily power struggles, tantrums, and boundary battles actually matter long term — this episode is for you.   In today’s episode, we zoom out.   You are not just managing a toddler. You are shaping a future adult.   The way you respond to whining, frustration, big emotions, and independence today wires your child’s nervous system, self-concept, and resilience for...

Sensory play is one of my favorite forms of play — not just because it’s fun, but because you can almost instantly see a child become calmer.   In this episode, I’m sharing why sensory play was the foundation of my work in Early Intervention, especially with children with autism and nervous system dysregulation. I’ll explain why I began every single session with a sensory bin, how it builds trust...

In this episode, we explore why the Montessori approach is so powerful for toddlers and their parents. Montessori isn’t just a classroom philosophy — it’s a way of life that empowers toddlers to build real skills, confidence, independence, and a deep sense of being part of the family. We’ll dive into research-backed benefits, share real examples of practical life activities (like cooking with your...

Why does bedtime turn into a sudden flood of needs — water, snacks, questions, emotions — right when the lights go out?   In this episode, I sit down with a pediatric sleep consultant, Brittany, to unpack what’s really happening during bedtime resistance. We talk about why children often appear “dehydrated” or emotionally needy at night, how daytime boundaries impact nighttime sleep, and what pare...

Today we talk about five books that have shaped how I think about parenting, child development, and how we show up in family life. These books helped me move from hustle and stress to intention and calm:   📘 The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins 📘 The 5 Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman & Ross Campbell 📘 The Danish Way of Parenting by Jessica Joelle Alexander & Iben Sandahl 📘 The...

In this episode we’re sharing fun, therapist-approved movement ideas for toddlers who are cooped up because of winter weather or sick days. We’ll talk playful gross-motor activities you can do in tiny spaces, indoor games like floor is lava with pillows, and the best YouTube movement channels for toddlers (Cosmic Kids Yoga, GoNoodle, Danny Go and more). We’ll also help you track emotions vs. energ...

Feeling overwhelmed, behind, or wondering “what did I even do all day?” In this New Year’s episode, early childhood specialist and mom shares gentle, realistic organization strategies for moms with babies, toddlers, and young children. Learn how predictable routines, visual schedules, morning meetings, and simple home systems can reduce anxiety, support emotional regulation, and help moms feel cal...

In this deeply personal episode, I share my journey of living with multiple autoimmune illnesses while navigating motherhood, childcare work, and chronic nervous system overload. We talk about being raised as the “good girl,” becoming a people pleaser, and how my body eventually forced me to slow down and learn regulation, boundaries, and self-advocacy.   This episode covers practical nervous syst...

Bringing a new baby home can be one of the biggest emotional transitions for a toddler—and for parents. In this episode, we talk about how to introduce your toddler to a new baby in a way that supports emotional safety, reduces jealousy, and builds secure attachment.   Using a real-life story about introducing a new puppy to an older dog, we explore the surprising similarities between sibling tran...

In this episode, we talk about the real December toddler patterns no one prepares you for — the clinginess, the schedule slips, the sugar meltdowns, the holiday overstimulation, and the mysteriously large emotions that appear the moment you’re already overwhelmed.   You’ll learn: ✨ Why toddlers struggle more in December ✨ How routine disruptions impact their behavior ✨ The surprisingly big effe...

In this episode, we dive into gentle, emotionally-aware potty training based on toddler development and regulation.   You’ll learn: •How to know if your toddler is truly ready •Why potty training feels so overwhelming (spoiler: it’s not you!) •A simple 3-phase plan that aligns with my free potty training guide •What to say during accidents •How to avoid common potty training mistakes •How to stay...